Badami Chalukyas-Pulakesi II-Aihole Inscription

Badami Chalukya kingdom was established after the downfall of Satavahana empire.

2.

Jayasimha was the founder of Badami Chalukya dynasty. His period of reign was 485 A.D to 510 A.D.

3.

Jayasimha was succeeded by his son Ranaranga. He ruled from 510 to 535 A.D.

4.

Both Jayasimha and his son Ranaranga were the feudatories of Kadambas of Banavasi.

5.

Ranaranga`s son Pulakesi I ascended the throne in 535 A.D and ruled upto 566 A.D.

6.

As Kadambas were weak Pulakesi I revolted against them and declared independence.

7.

Pulakesi I converted the hill near Badami into a strong fortress. Badami located in the Bijapur district of Karnataka State was the capital of Badami Chalukyas.

8.

Pulakesi I fought in many battles for the expansion of his kingdom and celebrated his victories by performing Aswamedha Sacrifice.

9.

Pulakesi I succeeded by his son Kirthivarma. Kirthivarma ascended the throne in 566 A.D. He defeated Kadambas and occupied norther Konkan and Kenera regions. He also defeated Nalas of Nalavadi(Bellary and Kurnool). He had the title of Maharaja.

10.

As the son of Kirthivarma was a minor, his brother Mangalesa ascended the throne. Mangalesa fought against Kalachuries and occupied Island of Revathi.

11.

Mangalesa did not hand over the power to Pulakesi II (son of Kirtivarma). Hence Pulakesi II waged war against his uncle Mangalesa and killed him in the battle.

Pulakesi II

12.

Pulakesi II ascended the throne in 609 A.D.

13.

Pulakesi II was greatest among the Badami Chalukya rulers.

14.

He conquered the entire coastal region in Andhra and gave it to his brother Kubja Vishnuvardhana to rule over it

15.

He also invaded against Malwa, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Kalinga regions.

16.

His victories were mentioned in the Aihole inscription by his commander Ravikeerthi on the walls of Jaina temple at Aihole.

17.

Harshavardhana who wanted to conquer Deccan was defeated by Pulakesi II on the banks of river Narmada.

18.

Pulakesi II invaded against Pallava kingdom and defeated Pallava king Mahendra Varma I in the battle of Pullaluru.

19

He defeated Kadambas of Banavasi, Western Gangas and Alupas of Malabar region.

20.

He invaded against Chola, Chera and Pandyas but they surrendered to Pulakesi instead of facing battle with him and agreed to tribute.

21.

Pulakesi II had the titles of `Parameswara`.

22.

The Chinese traveller Hieun-Tsang visited the Pulakesi II kingdom in 640 A.D and praised his greatness.

23.

Khusru II the king of Persi sent an ambassador to the court of Pulakesi II.

24

Pulakesi II waged a war on Pallavas in 641. In the battle that took place at Manimangala the Pallva Narasimha Varma I defeated Pulakesi II.

25.

In 642 A.D Pallava Narasimha Varma I waged a war against Pulakesi II. In the battle Pulakesi II was defeated and killed by Narasimha Varma I and Vatapi(capital of Badami Chalukyas) was burnt to ashes.

26.

After the death of Pulakesi II the chalukyan power was in abeyance for 13 years.

Successors of Pulakesi II

27.

After the death of Pulakesi II Vikramaditya I, son of Pulakesi II ascended the throne and wanted to take revange on Pallavas for his father death.

28.

He invaded on Pallavas and defeated Mahendravarma II. He annexed Gujarat and appointed his brother Jayasimhavarma as royal representative of Laata kingdom.

29.

Vikramaditya I was succeeded by Vinayaditya. Vinayaditya ruled from 680-696 A.D. The period of Vinayaditya rule was peaceful. He built temples at Alampur.

30.

Vinayaditya was succeeded by his son Vijayaditya. Vijayaditya ruled from 696 to 733 A.D Vijayaditya was succeeded by his son Vikramaditya II.

31.

Vikramaditya II ruled from 733-747 A.D During the period of Vikramaditya II Arabs invaded on the Badami Chalukya kingdom. Arabs were defeated by Jayasimhavarma`s son Pulakesi and hence he was given the title "Avanijanaasraya" by Vikramaditya II.

32.

He invaded on Pallava kingdom and defeated Nandivarman and annexed Kanchi.

33.

He also invaded on Chola, Chera, Pandya and Kalabhrus and annexed their territories. During his reign Badami Chalukya power extended upto Kanyakumari and the glory of Badami Chalukyas was restored.

34.

Vikramaditya II was succeeded by Kirtivarma II. He was the last ruler of Badami Chalukyas. He ruled from 747 to 757 A.D.

35.

During the period of Kirtivarma II, Dantidurga who as the feudatory chief of the western Maharashtra declared independence and founded Rashtrakuta dynasty.

36.

The Badami Chalukya rule came to end when Krishna I of the Rashtrakuta dynasty defeated Kirtivarma II and annexed the whole kingdom of Badami Chalukyas.

Aihole Inscription of Pulakesi II

No.

Aihole Inscription

1.

Aihole is located in the Bagalkot district of Karnataka state. It is an important tourist centre.

2.

It is a temple complex.

3.

It was an important city during the period of Badami Chalukyas.

4.

The famous Aihole inscription is available at the Meguti Jain temple.

5.

It describes about the victories of famous Badami Chalukya ruler Pulakesi II (610-642 A.D).

6.

The inscription was authored by Ravikirthi, court poet of Pulakeshi II.

7.

Aihole inscription is written in the Sanskrit languague with old Kannada script.

8.

Aihole inscription mentioned the victory of Mangalesha over Kalachuris and the conquest of Revatidvipa.

8.

As per Aihole inscription a civil war took place between Mangalesha and Pulakeshi II when Mangalesha tried to secure the succession of his own son.

9.

The inscription mentioned that the Pallavas attempted to prevent the rise of Badami Chalukyas.